Carnation plant named Jun

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Carnation Plant named Jun Sakura, a sport of Scania, distinguished from its closest commercial variety, Soana Baranna, as well as any other variety known to me, by its darker pink flower color, taller plant habit, darker foliage color, earlier flowering response, resistance to color fading, a higher crowned flower of larger diameter and less splitting of the calyx and bullheading under widely fluctuating temperatures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of carnation plant, named Jun Sakura, which is a sport of the cultivar Scania, a non-patented, commercially available, red colored carnation of the "Sim" family.

This sport was discovered and selected because of its distinct, pleasing pink color from a flowering of Scania in commercial greenhouses in Salinas, Calif. on Jan. 12, 1982. The closest commercial cultivar in color to the new sport of which I am aware is the carnation Soana Baranna, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,534, granted in 1974. The distinguishing characteristics which are outstanding in the new cultivar and which distinguish it from Scania and Soana Baranna are as follows:

1. It has a darker pink flower color than Soana Baranna. Scania is red.

2. It is less prone to color fading under high light, high temperature conditions than Soana Baranna.

3. Foliage is curled, darker green than Soana Baranna and is longer and broader when uncurled and measured. The foliage is typically curled as in most Sim cultivars.

4. Pinched plants are 3" to 5" taller from the same plant date than Soana Baranna.

5. Flower diameter averages 0.75 cm larger and crown is higher than Soana Baranna.

6. Bloom date is 7-10 days faster from the same plant date than Soana Baranna.

7. Flowers of Jun Sakura split and bullhead less under fluctuating temperatures than Soana Baranna.

Asexual reproduction and flowerings of this new cultivar by side shoot cuttings rooted in peat and "Perlite" under mist were performed under our direction at Fremont, Calif. in commercial greenhouses. The new cultivar was found to retain its distinctive characteristics as listed herein through successive propagations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawings serve, by color photographic means, to illustrate the new plant variety, Jun Sakura, in comparison to its closest known commercial variety, Soana Baranna.

FIG. 1 is a close up view of the bloom of Soana Baranna, and FIG. 2 is a close up view of the bloom of the new cultivar, Jun Sakura. This photo shows the darker pink color of Jun Sakura and the larger bloom size.

FIG. 3 is a view of three full length flowers of the prior art Soana Baranna, and FIG. 4 is a view of three full length flowers of the new cultivar. The photograph illustrates the overall characteristics and form of the two cultivars, and shows the longer length stems and curly leaves of the new cultivar, Jun Sakura.

FIG. 5 is a close up view of the straight leaves of the prior art cultivar, Soana Baranna, and FIG. 6 is a close up view of the leaves of the new cultivar, Jun Sakura, and illustrates the darker green color and curly leaves of the new cultivar compared to the straight leaves of Soana Baranna.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The following is a detailed description of the new carnation plant of the present invention based on observations of plants grown inside commercial greenhouses at Fremont, Calif.; the height of plant, and flower and foliage size established as an average using standard commercial cultural practices. The data provided accurately characterizes the sport in question. The color terminology used in the following is in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart. Color designation and other values stated may deviate slightly from the stated values from flowering to flowering, but the deviations will be within the range expected from varying environmental, seasonal and cultural conditions.

PLANT

Origin: Sport of Scania, a non-patented, commercial, red-colored carnation of the Sim family.

Classification:

Botanical.--Dianthus caryophyllus.

Commercial.--Carnation, standard disbud type.

Form: Bush; typical carnation, vigorous and upright.

The following table compares the new cultivar with its closest commercial variety of which I am aware.

    ______________________________________                                         TABLE OF COMPARISON                                                                                    SOANA                                                           JUN SAKURA     BARANNA                                                         (New Cultivar) (Prior Art)                                            ______________________________________                                         PLANT:                                                                         Height     70.5 cm          60.0 cm                                            FOLIAGE:                                                                       Color                                                                          Upper side 139 A&B to 139 B 139 B to 139 B&C                                   Lower side 139 B            139 A                                              Size       12.7 cm long × 1.27                                                                       10.16 cm long ×                                         cm wide          1.19 cm wide                                       Quantity   Abundant on mature                                                                              Same                                                          plants                                                              Shape      lanceolate       lanceolate                                                    curled           straight                                           Texture    Smooth           Same                                               Ribs       single and axial Same                                               Petioles   amplexicaul (none)                                                                              Same                                               Bud        Ovoid, medium sized light                                                                       Same                                                          green color, typical                                                           carnation, smooth                                                   BLOOM:                                                                         Form:      Round            Same                                               Size       diameter    10.45 cm 9.7 cm                                                    average                                                                        depth average                                                                              5.7 cm   5.0 cm                                         Borne      single after disbudding                                                                         Same                                               Shape      high crowned, rounded                                                                           slightly less                                                 appearance       high crowned                                       Color: light pink:                                                             Upper side:                                                                               Red group 56 A to 56 B                                                                          56 C to 56 D                                       Lower Side:                                                                               Red group 55 D to 56 A                                                                          56 B to 56 C                                       Blooming habit:                                                                           continuous, year                                                               around on mature plants,                                                       blooms 7-10 days earlier                                                       than Soana Baranna                                                  Keeping habit:                                                                            2-3 weeks on plant, 10                                                                          Same                                                          days to 2 weeks as cut                                                         flowers                                                             Persistence                                                                               Remains attached and dry                                                                        Same                                               Fragrance  slight           Same                                               PETALAGE:                                                                      Appearance satiny, fan shaped,                                                                             Same                                               and Form   slightly serrated at apex                                                      (much less than most                                                           SIM cultivars)                                                      Number of Petals:                                                                         average 70       Same                                               REPRODUCTION ORGANS:                                                           Anthers    10 each, 2-3 mm long                                                                            Same                                               Filaments  2.0 to 2.5 cm long                                                                              Same                                                          white in color                                                      Pollen     yellowish        Same                                               Pistils    2-3 each, 3.5 to 4.0 cm                                                                         Same                                                          long, stigmas pinkish                                                          white                                                               Ovaries    cone shaped      Same                                               FRUIT:                                                                         Fertility  poor             Same                                               Shape      oblong           Same                                               Color      greenish immature to                                                                            Same                                                          tannish when mature                                                 ______________________________________                                     

I claim:
 1. A new and distinctive cultivar of carnation plant, named Jun Sakura, substantially as herein shown and described characterized particularly as to novelty by it distinctive and attractive pink flower color which retains its color without fading; slightly serrated flowers which open fully without bursting the calyx and causing splits; vigorous strong, straight stems; and good light and heat tolerance. 